Broaching machine



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BROACMNG :MACHINE:

Filed. April 18, 1939 3 ShGehs-Sheel; l

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E T m F A L JM F BROACHING Mmmm Filed April 18', mw

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W p l 1F. J. Mmmm BROACHING MACHINE Filed April 18, 19M@ 3 Simms-Sheet 3A ORNEY.

Patented Apr. 8, 1941 BROACHING MACHINE Francis J. Lapointe, Ann Arbor,Mich., assigner, by mesne assignments, to American Broach & Machine Co.,Ann Arbor, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application April 18, 1939,Serial No. 268,535

(Cl. Sil- 33) 24 Claims.

More particularly, the invention relates to a machine for cutting gearsand other externally toothed and splined elements by the use ofbreaching tools, it being the general object of the invention to providea new and improved machine adapted to cut all the projecting porn tionsof such an element by a single stroke of a plurality of breaching tools.

Another object is to provide such a machine embodying means forsupporting the work blank from which the element is formed and the toolsand for guiding the tools accurately with respect to the blank duringthe cutting operation.

Another object is to provide such a machine embodying a work blanksupport and tool guiding fixture provided with tool guiding surfacessupported integrally with the work support and laterally opposite thepoint oi cutting.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved meansfor supplying cutter coolant to a plurality of broaches operable to cuta gear.

Another object is to provide such a machine with automatically operablemeans for ejecting a nished work piece from the machine.

Further objects will become readily apparent from the following detaileddescription taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

Fig. l is a front elevation of a preferred form 3' of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section approximately along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section approximately alongthe line 3--3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section approximately along the line 4-4 of Fig.3.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary elevation partly in section along the line 5--5of Fig. 7.

Fig. 6 is a horizontal section approximately along the line 6 6 of Fig.3.

, Fig. 7 is a horizontal section approximately along the line 'l--T ofFigs. 3 and 5.

Fig. 8 is a plan section approximately along the line 8 8 of Fig. 1.

l Fig. 9 is a horizontal section approximately along the line 99 of Fig.3.

, While there is disclosed in the drawings and hereinafter described indetail a preferred form of the invention, it is to be understood thatthe invention is not limited to the particular construction shown. It iscontemplated that various changes may be made by those skilled in theart without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

In the form chosen for purposes of disclosure, the invention is embodiedin an upright or vertical machine (Figs. 1, 2 and 8) having a column orframe 29 formed with a `base pan 2| at its lower end and a pair oflaterally spaced parallel ways 22 which extend vertically along oppositesides of the frame. A wall 23 extends vertically within the frame so asto divide it into a rear compartment 24 and a front compartment 25 andreenforcing webs 25 are provided between the wall 23 and ways 22. Gribs2'I are secured to the ways 22 by means of bolts 28 and cooperatetherewith to form guideways for a tool supporting head 29 which hasintegral side ribs 30 fitted to slide therein. The head 29 is arrangedto be reciprocated on the ways 22 by means including a pair of pistonand cylinder devices, the pistons 3l of which are secured to the head 29by means of piston rods 32 and the cylinders 33 of which are hung from awork plate 34. The work plate is supported on a pair of brackets 35secured to the frame 2l). It is contemplated that the cylinders will besupplied with a fluid under pressure from a suitable pump and under thecontrol of valves (not shown) which will cause a slow or feed movementof the head 29 upwardly and a more rapid return or traverse movement ofthe head downwardly. The hydraulic pump and circuit are well known inthe art and form no part of the present invention.

The invention relates more particularly to the means for supporting aplurality of tools and a work blank during a broaching operation whichcuts all the teeth of a gear on the work blank in a single stroke. Thetool supporting means will be described first. 4

As shown in the drawings and more particularly Figs. l, 2 and 3 thereof,the tool head 29 has a horizontally extending portion 29 to which a toolholder or pull head 4l) is secured. This pull head is arranged to graspthe upper ends 4l of a plurality of broaching tools 42 and pull thetools upwardly through a proa-ching stroke when the head 29 is movedupwardly. As shown most clearly in 3 and 4, the pull head 4l] comprisesa tubular member or stem 43 which has a reduced portion 44 positioned ina bore in the tool head portion 29 and is secured in place by a nut 45threaded on the upper end thereof. The lower end of the stem is enlargedat 46 and provided with a plurality of annularly'arranged radiallyextending slots 4l for receiving the upper ends 4I of the tools 42. Theslots 4l are intersected by an upper annular recess 48 and also by alower annular recess 49. A split ring 5i) is secured in the upper recess48 to serve as an abutment or stop member for the upper ends of thetools 42. A plurality of arcuate or segmental jaws 5I (herein eight innumber) are positioned in the lower recess 49 and are movable radiallyfrom an outer position as shown in Figs. 3 and 4 to an inner clampingposition wherein the jaws engage in recesses 52 in the outer edges ofthe upper ends 4I of the tools 42. The segmental jaws 5| are preferablyprovided with beveled cam surfaces 53 and 54 to facilitate operationthereof outwardly by beveled cam surfaces 55 and 55 on the upper toolends respectively. The jaws are also provided with beveledcam surfaces5'| to facilitate operation thereof inwardly to a clamping position byan annular beveled cam surface 58 on a clamping ring 59. This. ring isslidable up and down on the outer surface of the enlarged portion 46 ofthe chuck stem 43 between an upper position determined by the engagementof an abutment surface G on the ring with the lower surfaces of the jaws(in which instance the jaws are released and the tools withdrawable) toa lower position determined by a stop ring 6| secured to and extendingoutwardly from the lower end of the clamping ring 59. When the clampingring is moved downwardly, the cam surface 58 acts-against the camsurfaces 51 to move the jaws inwardly to their clamping position.Preferably the recesses 52 in the upper tool portions 4I are of agreater dimension vertically than the jaws to insure properinterengagement.

The clamping ring 59 is arranged to be moved to its jaw unclampingposition as shown in Figs. 3 and 4 by means of a pair of pins 62upstanding from the work plate 34. When the tool head 29 and the toolsare completing a downward stroke, the clamping ring 59 engages the pins62 and moves to its upper position. The tools may then be drawndownwardly anddisengaged from the chuck by an elevator designatedgenerally G3 in which the lower ends of the tools are supported, as`hereinafter described. In Figs. 3 and 4, the parts are in the positionsassumed after a work blank W has been placed on a` splined work arbor 64and the tools 42. have been. elevated to a position in which they areengageable by the chuck jaws 5|. As the tool head 29 starts its upwardmovement (with the tools following due to continued operation of theelevator 63), the clamping ring 59. is moved downwardly to its toolclamping position by means of a pair of plungers 55 slidably mounted inbores in .thehead portion 29' and pressed downwardly by coiled -springs65.

"The elevator 63, as illustrated in. Figs. 1 to 3 and 9, comprises amember 61 slidable vertically on a pair of .laterally spaced rodsvsecured at their lower ends in a base block 59 and joined at theirupper ends by a cross member 1U. The elevator member 61 -is operablebymeans of a piston 'H (Fig. 2) which is mounted on the upper end of apiston rod 12 and is slidable in a cylinder 'I3 formed integrally withthe member 61. `The piston vrod 12 Ais anchored at its lower end in thebase block 53 and may be provided with two pas'- sages for supplyingfluid under pressure to the opposite ends of the cylinder 'I3 in amanner well known in the art.

yThe broaching tools 42 are. secured at their lowerv ends in a retainingmeans comprising a .bushing 15 and a pair of split-ring clamping members16. The bushing 'l5 has an outwardly extending lower flange 1l on whichthe lower ends of the tools 42 and the clamping members 15 rest, and hasalso an upper outwardly extending flange 'FS which is provided with aradially extending slot '|55 for each tool. An intermediate annular ribSi) on the bushing engages in notches 8| in the tools. rEhe slottedupper flange serves to locate the tools in accurately spaced relationaround the bushing. The clamping members 'l5 have ears 82 securedtogether by screw devices 83.

When the tools are supported on the elevator 63, the retaining means l5,l5 rests on a centering block 84 which is carried on a forwardlyextending shelf or bracket 85 on the elevator. The block 34 has aconically shaped upper end which fits into the lower end of the bushingl5, as shown in Fig. 1, so as to center the bushing thereon, and alsohas a bifurcated portion 85 into which one set of ears S2 fits so as tomaintain the proper angular position of the lower ends of the tools.

' In broaching articles such as gears, it is necessary to obtain anunusually high degree of accuracy so that the teeth of the gears areuniform and properly spaced. It is an important object of this inventionto provide means for insuring accuracy in the lbroaching of the gears,and this object is attained largely by the structure for supporting thework blank W and for guiding and backing up the individual teeth formingbroaching tools immediately adjacent the work blank. This part of theinvention will now be described.

The tool guiding and work supporting means is herein shown in the formof a fixture mounted on the work plate 34 and comprises an annularmember 5G (Figs. 3, 5, 6, and '7), an arbor supporting member i Hlpositioned centrally thereof, a lower ring |29 surrounding a reducedportion of the annular member 9i] and the work arbor 64.

The annular member Si) has an upper portion 9| fitted within a bore 34in the work plate 34, an outwardly extending flange 92 held against thelower surface of the work plate by a plurality of screw devices 93 andla plurality of downwardly and inwardly extending web portions E4 wedgeshaped as shown in `the left hand half of Fig. '7 so as to form radiallyextending guide slots 95 for the breaching tools 42. The innercylindrical wall 9G of the annular member 5&3 forms a guide surface forthe outer edges of the breaching tools and backs up the tools so thatthey cannot move radially outwardly of the fixture. The tools 42 arealso backed up against radial outward movement by means of the lowerring |29 which has an inner cylindrical surface |2| of the same diameteras the cylindrical surface 95. The outer edges of the tools 42 arepreferably provided with curved surfaces formed on the same radius asthe cylindrical surfaces 96 and |'2| so as to be backed-up and guidedthereby. The ring |20 is a pressed fit and surrounds the downwardlyprojecting webs 94, the lower portion |22' of the ring serving to backup the tools laterally opposite the work piece W during a cuttingoperation.

The ring |25 is secured to the annular member Si) by a plurality ofscrew devices |22 which extend through suitable bores in the ring |25and into screw-threaded engagement with tapped holes in the member 5D.

The arbor supporting member Ii has a central hub IH provided with a boreH2 in which the arbor 54 is positioned. The arbor is secured againstrotary movement by means including a pin ||3 carried by the arbor andextending radially into a suitable recess in the hub The arbor issecured against longitudinal movement by means of a washer IIl and ascrew device I I on the upper end of the arbor positioned` in anenlarged portion of the bore H2, rand an enlarged splined portion t4 onthe lower end of the arbor'. Preferably, a ball detent llt` urgedoutwardly by means of a spring I |'I is provided on the splined portionof the arbor for detachably holding the work blank W thereon. The arborsupporting member Ii has a plurality of webs ||8 extendingradially andoutwardly therefrom, as shown most clearly in Fig. 7. At their upperends these webs are of sufficient length to overlie the annular member50 so that the arbor supporting member I||l may be secured thereto bymeans of a plurality of screw devices H9. The inte-rmediate portions ofthe webs H8 which lie within the annular `member 5|] are of suflicientlength to engage the inner cylindrical wall 9B thereof. The lowerportions of webs ||8 are relatively short and project outwardly intoabutting relation with the webs 54 of the annular member 95. As shownmost clearly in Fig. 7, the inner portions li of the webs IIB are shapedsomewhat in the form of gear teeth but slightly narrower to provideclearance for the teeth of the breaching tool. The intermediate portionsH8 of the webs have side surfaces forming guideways for the broachingtools, whereas the outermost portions of the webs IIB are narrower so asto pro vide clearance between the webs and the broaching tools. The webs94 on the annular member SI) are wedge shaped as shown in the left handhalf of Fig. 'I and are of sufficient width so that their side surfacesprovide guidcways for the broaching tools 42.

In order to provide cutter coolant to the broaching tools at the pointof engagement with the work blank, a cutter coolant supply pipe |30extends downwardly from the upper portion of the frame 20, through anopening |3| in the head 29 and into communication with the enlargedupper portion of the bore ||2 (Fig. 3) of the hub Iii. The hub isprovided with a plurality of radially extending ports |32, one for eachbreaching tool 42, which receive coolant for the pipe |31) and dischargeit into the inner portions of the guide slots formed by the web portionsi i8 so that the coolant may flow downwardly onto the work blank.

The invention as vdisclosed herein is also provided with means forremoving iinished work pieces from the arbor 64 and discharging themfrom the machine through a chute |45 (Fig. 2). This means includes@ pairof :fingers |4| (Figs. 3, 5 and 6) which extend through diametricallyopposite slots |42 in the lower portion of the ring and are pivoted on.pins |43. The inner ends ofthese fingers overlie tooth portions of thework blank W, whereas the outer ends of the lingers are normally springpressed downwardly by means of plungers M4 backed up by coil springs|45, the plungers and coil springs being mounted in blocks |46 suitablysecured to the work plate 34. rI'he lingers I 4| are arranged to bepivoted to eject a finished work piece upon completion of the breachingoperation by means of a pair of vertical slide rods |41 mounted inbushings |48 in a plate |43 (Figs. 1 to 3) which is mounted on a bracket|59 secured to the wall 23 of the frame Z5. The rods |41 are alignedvertically with theears t2 of the tool clamping members 15, with theresult tha-t as the broaching tools approach their uppermost portionwherein the Cil cutting stroke is completed, the ears 82 engage thelower ends of the rods I 4I and move them upwardly, thus causing theinner ends of the fingers |4| to eject the finished Work blank Wdownwardly. The work blank then drops down through the opening in thebushing 15, which is preferably beveled at l5', to facilitate thepassage of the finished gear therethrough. The gear is then directedinto the chute by means of a pivoted denector which is pivotally mountedon depending portions |5| of the bracket |89 by means of a rod |52. Thisdeflector is movable from an inoperative position, as shown in fulllines in Figs. 1 and 2, to an. operative position, as shown in dottedlies in Fig. 2, in which position it functions to arrest the downwardmovement of the finished gear and to direct the gear into the dischargechute |451. In order to operate the deflector |5|J in properly timed`relation with the work ejecting means, the deflector is provided withan ear |53 (Fig. 2) which extends rearwardly from the upper end thereofadjacent the pivot rod |52 and .is connected to the lower end of avertically extending rod |54 by means of a pin |55. This rod is normallyheld in its lower position (in which position the deflector is.inoperative) by means of a coil spring |56 which surrounds the lowermostportion of the rod and is compressed by engagement with a lower surfaceon the plate |49. The rod |54 extends upwardly through a suitableopening in the head 29 and at its upper end carries a collar |51suitably secured thereto. As the breaching tools reach the upper end oftheir broaching stroke, at which time the head |29 is at the upper endof its stroke, the rod |54 is raised so as to pivot the deflector I tothe dotted position shown in Fig. 2. The raising of rod |54 isaccomplished by means of a coil spring 5B which surrounds the upperportion of the rod |54 below the collar |5'I and above the horizontallyextending portion 29 of the head.

In the form shown in the drawings (Figs. 1 and 3), each cylinder 33 isin the form ofl a tubular member clamped intermediate a lower cylinderhead Iii! and an upper cylinder head |'I| by means of a plurality ofbolts |72 which extend through openings |73 in the heads |10 andopenings Id in the heads |'II and into screw-threaded engagement withthe work plate 34. The bolts |12 also serve to secure the entirecyiinder structure to the work plate. The piston rod 3L extends upwardlythrough an opening |l5 in the head lli and through a bushing i I'i andhasa reduced upper end 32 forming a shoulder ill' which fits against thelower surface of the tool head 29. Nuts |18 (Fig. l) are threaded on theupper -ends of the reduced portions 32 so as t-o secure the piston rodsrigidly to the tool head.

In order to guide the upper ends of the tools 42, principally when theyare disengaged from the tool holder iii), a split-ring or bushing (Fig.3) is mounted in a suitable opening in the plate |45 and provided with aflange |85 overlying said plate. As shown most clearly in the left handportion of Fig. 6, the bushing |85 is provided with radially extendingslots I Si? which act as guideways for the tools 4Z. Preferably, theseslots are slightly wider than the thickness of the tools so that thetools move freely therein.

The lower portion of the machine may be partly enclosed by means ofshields |35 and i'oi (Figs. 2 and 8), extending inwardly from the frontside edges of the frame 2li, around the cylinders 33 .and rearwardlyintoengagement ,with the lwall Operation The operation of the machinewill now be described. As illustrated in the drawings, and particularlyin Figs. l to 3, the machine is shown with a preformed gear blank Walready attached to the work arbor 54 and the elevator 63 has alreadymoved upwardly to place the upper ends 4| of the broaching tools d2within the tool holder 40. The tools then extend upwardly through theguide slots lS'I in the bushing |85. Upon movement of the head 29upwardly (caused by-actuation of the pistons 3| by a suitable fluid),the elevator device continues its upward movement for a short distanceuntil the upper ends of the tools are clamped by the segmental jaws 5|which move inwardly to clamping position by the action of cam surface 58against cam surfaces 51. The tool head then continues its upwardmovement independently of the elevator and the tools, guided by theguideways on the members Sil, IIll and IEll, cut the teeth on the workblank. Upon the completion of the broaching operation, the ears 82 onthe clamping members 'IIS engage the rods Iii and move them upwardly topivot the fingers IGI and eject the iingers clear from the splinedportion of the work arbor. Preferably,

the upper ends of the rods IM are provided with o adjustable screw andnut devices Ilt'l to facilitate accurate adjustment thereof. Thefinished gear, upon dropping through the opening in the bushing i5,strikes the deiiector |50 which has in the meanwhile been pivoted fromthe full line position of Fig. 2 to the dotted line position thereof.The finished gear then passes out through the chute IM.

The tool head 29 is then moved downwardly through its return stroke bythe reverse operation of the pistons 3| in the cylinders 33 and duringthis return stroke carries the broaching tools 42 downwardly until thebushing 15 engages the elevator 53. The tool head and elevator then movedownwardly simultaneously for a short distance, during which time thetool head clamping ring 59 actuated by the pins 62 (Fig. 3) and raisedrelatively to the tool head to the position shown in Fig. 3. Continueddownward movement of the elevator then disengages the broaching toolsfrom the tool holder 10, the elevator carrying the tools downwardlyuntil the upper ends thereof are below the splined portion of the workarbor 64 but still engaged in the slots |81 of bushing |85. Vihen theelevator reaches this lowermost position, the operator of the machinernay place a new work blank on the work arbor, after which the cycle ofoperation may be repeated by causing the elevator to rise and engage theupper ends of the broaching tools with the tool holder 40.

The iiuid supply and control means for the hydraulic actuation of thetool head and elevator cylinders have not been illustrated anddescribed, since such means are old and well known in this art and formno part of the present invention.

By providing a machine as disclosed herein with a tool guiding and worksupporting xture having tool guideways laterally opposite the portionsof the work blank to be cut, the invention produces a machine capable ofcutting gears and other toothed elements with a high degree of accuracy.The broaching tools are effectively backed up by the ring |20 so as toprevent outward movement thereof and are accurately guided by the webs94 so as to obtain proper angular spacing of the teeth on the gear.Furthermore, the invention provides a novel means for mounting thebroaching tools in predetermined positions on the bushing 'I5 wherebythe handling of the tools as a group is facilitated. The provision ofmeans for ejecting the nished work blank and discharging it from themachine through the chute i0 (which may lead to a suitable hopper orconveyor (not shown) enables the operator to devote his entire attentionto the reloading and starting of the machine. Thus, in a machine havingautomatic means for controlling the reciprocation of the tool head andelevator, the operator may after loading the machine start the machineand then return only after the finished gear has been discharged.

An important feature is the provision of a boaching tool assemblywherein a plurality of broaching tools are secured together in angularlyspaced relation by `a clamping means associated with the tail endsthereof, the clamping means being provided with an opening therethroughwhich permits a nished work piece to pass out. In this way, a gear orsimilar element may be formed during a single stroke of the broachingtools, and it is not necessary for the tools to pass back over theiinished surfaces of the work piece.

Throughout the speciiication, the term gear has been used for purposesof illustration, and it is intended by the use of this term both in thedescription and claims'to include other toothed or splined elements aswell.

I claim as my invention:

1. A broaching machine having, in combination, an upright frame, ahorizont-al work plate secured to said frame intermediate the endsthereof, a broach supporting head slidably mounted on said frame abovesaid work plate, a broach handling elevator device vertically movablewith respect to said frame below said work plate, means on sai-d headfor simultaneously chucking a plurality of bar-like broaching toolsspaced angularly in position to cut the teeth of a gear, means forreciprocating said head, means for securing the lower ends of said toolstogether in vangularly spaced relation including an annular memberhaving ya central opening sufciently large to permit a iinshed gear topass therethrough, means for ejecting the work blank from said `arborupon completion of the cutting operation comprising a yplurality offingers pivotally mounted on said work plate with their inner endsoverlying teeth on the iinished gear and means operable by the broachclamping device for pivoting said fingers upon completion of the cuttingoperation of the broaching tools, a gear receiving chute exten-dinglaterally of said frame below said work plate, a delector device pivot-`ally mounted on said frame for engaging nished gears and deecting theminto said chute, and means operable by said head as it approaches theupper end of its movement for swinging said delector device intoposition vertically underthe work plate for engaging a nished gearfalling through said annular member and directing it into said chute.

2. A broaching machine having, in combination, an upright frame, abroach supporting head slidably mounted on the upper portion of Vsaidframe, a broach handling elevator device vertically movable opposite thelower portion of l said frame, means on said head for simultaneouslychucking a plurality of bar-like breaching tools spaced angularly inposition to cut the teeth of a work element, means for reciprocatingsaid head, a clamping device for securing the lower ends oi said toolstogether in angularly spaced relation including an annular member havinga central opening sufliciently large to permit a nished work element topass therethrough, a downwardly projecting work element arbor supportedon said frame for receiving a work element, and means for ejecting .thework element from said arbor upon completion of the cutting operationcomprising a linger having a part thereof overlying a portion oi thefinished element and means operable by the broach clamping device formovmg said finger upon completion of the cutting operation of thebroaching tools.

3. Abroaching machine having, in combination, an upright frame, a broachsupporting head siidabiy mounted on the upper portion of said trame,means on said head for simultaneously chucking a plurality of bar-likebreaching tools spaced angularly in position to cut the teeth of anelement, means for reciprocating said head, a .clamping device rorsecuring the lower ends of said tools together in angularly spacedrelation including an annular member having a central openingsutficiently large to permit a finished element to pass therethrough, awork element arbor supported on said frame and in a position centrallyof said tools, and means for ejecting the iinished element from saidarbor upon completion of the cutting operation.

4. A breaching machine having, in combination, `an upright frame, abroach supporting head slidably mounted on said frame above said workplate, means on said head for simultaneously chucking the upper ends ofa plurality of barlike broaching tools spaced angularly in position tocut the teeth of a gear, means for reciprocating said head, a clampingdevice for securing the lower ends of said tools permanently together inangularly spaced relation having a central opening suinciently large topermit a iinished gear to pass therethrough, a work blank arborprojecting downwardly from said Work plate, means for ejecting theiinished gear from said arbor upon completion of the cutting operation,a gear receiving chute extending laterally of said frame below said workplate, a deiiector device pivotally mounted on said frame for engagingfinished gears and deflecting them into said chute, and means operableby said head as it approaches the upper end of its movement for swingingsaid delector device into ,position vertically under said clampingdevice for deflecting a finished gear falling through the centralopening of said device.

5. A broaching machine having, in combination, a frame, a work platesecured .to said frame intermediate the ends thereof, a broachsupporting head slidably mounted on said frame on one side of said workplate, means on said head for simultaneously chucking the leading endsof a plurality of bar-like broaching tools spaced angularly in positionto cut the teeth of a gear, means for reciprocating said head, aclamping device for clamping the tail ends of said tools permanently inangularly spaced relation including a member having a central openingsuiiiciently large to permit a finished gear to .pass therethrough, awork blank arbor projecting from said work plate for releasably holdinga work blank, and means for ejecting the work blank from said arbor uponcompletion of the cutting iii operation so that it moves out .throughthe central opening of said clamping device.

o. in a machine for broaching gears having a plurality of tools spacedabout a -circle each adapted to operate on a work blank to form thespace between two adjoining teeth during a singie stroke or the tools,in combination, a work plate, a tooi guiding and work supporting fixturesecured to said plate comprising a member having an annular rim and aplurality of webs extending radially inwardiy and downwardly from thelower portion oi said rim to. form radial guide Vslots roi said tools, aring surrounding said downwardly projecting webs and having an innersuriace cooperating with the inner surface of said annular rim toback-up the tools as they pass through said slots and prevent movementthereor' radially outward, a hub positioned centrally oi' said annularrim having outwardly extending webs aligned with the webs of saidmember, means securing the webs of said hub to said member, a Worksupporting arbor secured centrally of said hub and having a splined workblank receiving portion projecting downwardly therefrom and laterallyopposite said ring, and a spring pressed detent device for releasablyholding a work blank on said arbor.

1. In a machine for broaching gears and the like having a plurality oftools spaced about a circle each adapted to operate on a work blank toform the space between two adjoining teeth during a single stroke of thetools, in combination, a tool guiding and work supporting fixturecomprising a member having a plurality of webs extending radially of thetools to form guide slots for said tools, a ring surrounding said websand having an inner surface to back-up the tools as they pass throughsaid slots and prevent movement thereof radially outward, a worksupporting arbor positioned centrally of said webs and having a workblank receiving portion projecting therefrom and laterally opposite saidring, and means securing said work supporting arbor rigidly to saidmember.

8. In a machine for broaching toothed elements having a plurality oftools spaced about a circle each adapted to operate on a work blank toform the space between two adjoining teeth during a single stroke of thetools, in combination, a tool guiding and work supporting xturecomprising a member having an annular rim and a plurality of websextending inwardly and longitudinally from said rim to form guide slotsfor said tools, a ring surrounding said longitudinally projecting websand having an inner surfacel to back-up the tools as they pass throughsaid slots and prevent movement thereof radially outward, a hubpositioned centrally of said member having outwardly extending websaligned with the webs of said member, means securing the webs of saidhub to said annular rim, and a work supporting arbor secured centrallyof said hub and having a work blank receiving portion projectingtherefrom laterally opposite said ring.

9. In a machine for breaching toothed elements having a plurality oftools spaced about a circle each adapted to operate on a work blank toform the space between two adjoining teeth during a single stroke of thetools, in combination, a tool guiding and lwork supporting iixturecomprising a member having an annular rim and a plurality of websextending radially inwardly and longitudinally from one end of said rimto form guide slots for said tools, a ring surrounding saidlongitudinally projecting webs and having an inner surface cooperatingwith the inner surface of said annular rim to back-up the tools as theypass through'said slots and'prevent movement thereof radially outward, ahub positioned centrally of said member having outwardly extending websalignedwith the Webs of said member, said webs on the hub havingportions abutting the inner endsl of said first mentioned webs and otherpor-v tions overlying said rst mentioned Webs, means securing the outerends of the Webs of said hub to 'saidannular rim, anda worksupportingmeans secured centrally of said hub and having a work blankreceiving portion projecting therefrom laterally opposite said'ring.

` 10. A breaching machine having, in combinal tion', a frame, a toolguiding and work supporting fixture mounted "on said frame intermediatethe ends thereof and having a Work arbor, and tool guiding and backingsurfaces laterally opposite a work blank receiving portion of the workarbor,'a broach supporting head slidably mounted on said frame toeneside of said fixture, means for reciprocating said head, a breachingtool holder carried on said head and'adapted to chuck the leading ends4of aplurality of annularly arranged'and parallel breaching tools for apull breaching operation, means for clamping the tail ends of said toolsin angularly spaced relation, a movably mounted device for handling saidtools from the tail ends thereof, and guide means for said tools mountedon said frame between said fixture and movably mounted device inposition to engage the tools throughout'their stroke including anannular member having'radiallyV extending slots through which thebreaching tools pass.

breaching tool holdercarried'on said head and adapted to chuck theleading ends of a plurality of annularly arranged and parallel breachingtools for a pull `breaching operation, means for clamping the tail endsof said tools in angularly spaced relation, and guide means for saidtools mountedon said frame in position to engage the tools throughouttheir stroke.

12. A breaching machine having, in combination-,wa frame, a tool guidingand work supporting xture mounted on said frame intermediate the endsthereof and having a werk arbor and tool guiding and backing surfaceslaterally opposite a work blank receiving portion of the Work arbor, abroach supporting head slidably mounted on said frame to one side ofsaid fixture, means for reciprocating said head upon said frame, abreaching tool holder carried on said head and adapted to chucktheleading ends of a plurality of annularly arranged and parallelbreaching tools for a breaching operation, means for clamping thetrailing ends of said tools together in angularly spaced relation, and amovably mounted device for handling said tools from the clamped endsthereof.

13. A broachingrmachine having, in combination, an upright frame, a toolguiding and work supporting fixture mounted on said frame intermediatethe ends thereof and havinga dewn- Wardly projecting. Work arbor andtool guiding and, backing surfaces laterally opposite the work blankreceiving portion of the work arbor, a broachsupporting head slidablymounted 4on'said frame above said fixture, means forreciprocating saidhead'vertically upon said frame, a broaching tool holderfcarried on said'head yand adapted te chuck' the upper ends of a plurality of an'-nularly arranged and parallel breaching tools for a pull-up breachingoperation,A and `means for clamping the lower ends of said 'toolstogether in angularly spaced relation.

14. Abreachingmachine having, in combination, arrupright frame, a toolguiding and Work' supporting xturemounted 'on said frame intermediatethe ends thereof and having aI down--y wardly projecting work arbor andtool guiding and backing surfaces laterally opposite the work blankreceiving portion ef the Work arbor, a breach supporting head slidablymounted on said frame above-said fixture, means for reciprocating saidhead vertically upon said frame, a breaching tool holder carried on saidhead and adapted to chuck the upper ends of a plurality of annularlyarranged and parallel breaching tools for a pullup breaching operation,-a vertically movable elevator device for handling said tools from thelower ends thereof; and vguide means for said tools mounted on saidframe below said fixture inY position to engage the tools throughouttherstroke and having radially extending slots through which the breachingtools pass:

i5.` AY breaching machine having, in combination,a frame, a tool guidingand work supporting fixture mounted on 'said frame intermediatethe endsthereof and having a work arbor and tool guiding and Abacking surfaceslaterally opposite the Workv blank receiving portion ofthe work arbor,abroach supporting head slidably mounted on said frame onY one sideV ofsaid'xture, means for reciprocating said head vertically upon said framethrough' breaching and return strokes, a breaching tool' holder carriedon said head andl adapted to chuck' the leading ends of a pluralityofannularly arranged and parallel broachin'g'tools for a pull 'breachingoperation, and means having a central opening through which the finishedwork blank may pass for clamping the tail ends of said tools together inangularly spaced relation;

16.' Al breaching machine having, in combinatien, a frame, a broachsupporting head slidably mounted `en said frame adjacent one endthereof,' a broach handling device slidably mounted on the other end ofsaid frame, means on said head for simultaneously chucking a pluralityof vbreaching tools spaced angularly in position to cut the teeth of anexternally toothed element, means for reciprocating said head,v aclamping device for securing the tail ends of said tools together inangularly spaced relation including a member hav'- ing a centralopeningy sufficiently large to permit a finished element to. passtherethrough, and

means for supporting aL workblank in positionto be operated upon by saidtools.

17. A vbreaching machine having, in combination7 a frame, a broachsupporting head slidably mounted on said frame adjacent one end thereof,a broach handling device slidably mounted on the other end of saidframe, means on said head for simultaneously lchucking a plurality ofbreaching tools spaced angularly in position to cut the teeth ofan'externally toothed element, means for reciprecating'said head, aclamping device for securing the tail'endsof saidtools together inangularly spaced relation including amemlberhaving a centralopening'siui'ciently large to permit a iinished element to passtherethrough, means for supporting a work blank in position to beoperated upon by said tools, and means ier moving laterally a finishedelement after passing through said central opening.

i8. A breaching machine having, in combination, means for simultaneouslychucking a plurality of bar-like breaching tools spaced angularly inposition to cut a toothed element, means for supporting a work blank andguiding the tools including a backing ring surrounding the work blank, aplurality of breaching tools spaced angularly with cutting edges ontheir inner surfaces in position to cut a toothed element and havingcurved surfaces en their outer edges conforming te the radius of saidbacking ring, a clamping device for securing the tail ends of saidbreaching tools together as a unit in angularly spaced relation, saidclamping means having a central opening through which a finished; workblank may pass, and means for causing relative feeding movement betweenthe tools and work blank.

19. A breaching machine having, in combination, a frame, a breachsupporting head slidably mounted thereon, means en said head forsimultaneously chucking a plurality of bar-like breaching tools spacedangularly in position to cut a toothed element, means for supporting aWork blank and guiding the tools including a backing ring laterallyopposite the work blank and a plurality oi breaching tools spacedangularly with cutting edges on their inner surfaces in position to cuta toothed element and having curved surfaces on their outer edgesconforming to the radius of said backing ring.

20. A breaching machine having, in combination, a frame, a breachsupporting head slidably mounted on said frame, means en said head fordetachably and simultaneously vchucking the leading ends of a pluralityof breaching tools spaced -annularly and in substantially parallelrelation to cut the teeth of a toothed element, means for supportingsaid tools in such annularly spaced and substantially parallel relationwhen `detached and separated from said chucking means to enable a workblank to be inserted into the space between the chucking means and thedetached ends oi the tools, means for supporting the Work blank inoperative relation to the tools, and means for moving said head when thetools are engaged :by the chucking means .to perform a pull breachingoperation on the work blank.

21. A breaching machine having, in combination, a frame, a breachsupporting head slidably mounted on said frame, means on said head forsimultaneously chucking the leading ends of a plurality of bar-likebreaching tools arranged in annularly spaced and substantially parallelrelation te cut the teeth of a toothed element, means for reciprocatingsaid head, means for supporting said breaching `tools in such annularlyspaced and substantially parallel relation when released and separatedfrom said chucking means to permit the insertion of a werk blankintermediate the leading ends of the tools and the chucking means, awork element support on said frame in a position to receive the workelement when the tools are separated from the chucking means, and meansadjacent the work element support forming guides for the sides and backof each tool during the cutting operation.

22. A breaching machine having, in combinalil) tion, an upright frame, ahorizontal work plate secured to said frame intermediate the endsthereof, la breach supporting head slidably mounted on said frame abovesaid work plate, means on said head for simultaneously chucking theleadingr ends oi a plurality of bar-like breaching tools arranged inannularly spaced and substantially parallel relation to cut the teeth ofa toothed element, said means being releasable to permit separation of.the breaching tools therefrom, means including a breach handlingelevator device vertically movable with respect to said frame below thework plate for separating the tools from the chu-cking means andwithdrawing them below the work plate to permit a werk blank to bepositioned between .the work plate and the breaches, and means foractuating said breach supporting head through a pull breaching operationwith the breaches engaged by the chucking means.

23. A breaching machine having, in combination, an upright frame, ahorizontal work plate secured te said frame intermediate the endsthereof, a breach supporting head slidably mounted on said frame :abovesaid work plate, means on said head for simultaneously chucking aplurality of bar-like breaching tools arranged in annularly spaced andsubstantial-ly parallel relation in position to cut the teeth of atoothed element, said means being releasable to permit separation of thebreaching tools therefrom, means including a breach handling elevatordevice vertically movable with respect to said frame below the workplate for separating 'the tools from the chucking means and withdrawingthem be =low the, werk plate to permit a werk Ablank to be positionedcentrally of the branch annulus, means en said work plate for supportingthe work Iblank and for backing up the tools during a breachingoperation, and means for actuating said breach supporting head through apull breaching operati-on with the breaches engaged by lthe chuckingmeans.

24. A breaching machine having, in combinatien, a frame, a iirst breachsupporting head slidably mounted on said frame, means en said head forsimultaneously chucking a plurality of bar-like breaching tools arrangedin annularly spaced and substantially parallel relation in pesition tocut teeth on a toothed element including lmeans for releasing saidtools, a second breach supporting head slidably mounted on said frameincluding means for holding said breaching tools in annularly spaced andsubstantially parallel relation when separated from said chucking means,a work blank support `on said frame positioned to mount a work blankbetween the leading ends of said tools and said first head when Ithetools are separated from the chucking means, means for actuating saidsecond breach supporting head to move the breaches into engagement withsaid chucking means for a breaching operation and lto withdraw thebreaches from the chucking means upon completion of a breachingoperation, and means for actuating said first mentioned supporting headin one direction through a breaching operation and te separate thetrailing ends of the breaches from said second supporting head whereuponthe nished work blank may pass out from between the trailing ends of thebreaching tools.

FRANCIS J. LAPOINTE.

